Three Strategies For Keeping Motivation High

Sometimes motivation is tougher to come by than at other times. That is a very normal situation … everyone feels that way occasionally.

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”Lou Holtz.

Here are three things that you can do to keep motivated, even when you have a “low motivation” day.

1. Set Goals.

Goals are a great way to keep yourself motivated.

If you have goals to meet, and you are serious about meeting and exceeding those goals then you have a roadmap for success, and that makes it easier to stay on track.

If you don’t have goals, then it makes it all too easy to coast … which is a slippery slope!

Success requires a consistent effort, and if you slack off because of lack of motivation once, it makes it easier to slack off again, and again … before you know it your productivity has totally tanked!

2. Create a Motivation File.

This will be very personal to you … because we are all motivated differently. Pull out this file, or view it on your computer when you need a little boost. You can even use it on a regular basis to remind yourself why you want to be successful.

i. If you are saving up for a special treat for yourself (a car, a boat or even a house) you might keep pictures of it as motivation.

ii. You might keep cuttings of news articles about failures … I have several about CEOs that “bombed”, as a reminder that I could be in the press if i don’t stay on top of my game.

iii. You might keep cards/emails/letters you have received praising your performance/successes as a reminder of what it feels like to enjoy success.

v. You might keep memories of motivational speakers you have seen … just one that inspires me is Nick Vujicic’s video No arms No legs No Worries!

vi. You might keep a picture of your family as motivation for doing a good job.

“I said “Somebody should do something about that.” Then I realized I am somebody.” Lily Tomlin

3. Use Good Time Management Techniques.

Good time management techniques will help your productivity under normal circumstances and when you have a low energy day, or a low motivation day you can use these “tools” to keep your productivity high.

i. Have a “To Do” list with priorities and deadlines.

ii. Populate your calendar with meetings out into the future.

iii. Plan your days, your weeks, your months … because if you have a plan then you are more likely to execute against that plan.

iv. Develop good habits that maximise your productivity.

“Motivation is the fuel, necessary to keep the human engine running.” Zig Ziglar

We are responsible for our own motivation, if we develop strategies and habits that keep us motivated then we will be more successful, and more content. If we rely on others to motivate us then we will find it very difficult to maintain the consistency that is needed for success in any field.